The rules of basketball have changed drastically over the last 125 years

Basketball celebrates a major anniversary today.

It has been exactly 125 years since Dr.  James Naismith invented the game of basketball. However, the rules have changed so much in that time, it’s possible he wouldn’t even recognize the game he created.

Three of the major rule changes were:

  1. No dunking
  2. No dribbling
  3. No rims or hoops

They used peach baskets instead of the hoop and net look that we’ve come to know and love today.

Here’s a look at the transformation of basketball over the years:

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Just think of what we wouldn’t have! While using metal hoops and nets instead of fruit baskets for a goal seems to be a fairly obvious and practical change, dunking and dribbling are core changes to the sport; one’s I think we are all happy were made.

Naismith was a Canadian born P.E. teacher and invented the game when he was 30 years old. In honor of his inviting the game, the Naismith Player of the Year Award is given annually.

There was also no three-point line, which means no Mario Chalmers at the end of the 2008 National Championship. Just saying.

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